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Home/New Zealand/South Island/Queenstown/Shotover River

Shotover River Adventures & Scenic Boat Tours

Embark on the ultimate adventure along the iconic Shotover River, where adrenaline meets breathtaking natural beauty. Whether you are seeking the heart-pounding excitement of white-water rafting through legendary rapids or a serene boat tour through Skippers Canyon, our curated experiences offer something for every explorer. Discover stunning scenic views, explore historic landscapes, and immerse yourself in New Zealand's premier nature destination. From high-speed thrills to guided sightseeing tours, book your Shotover River adventure today and experience the rush of a lifetime!

4.8/5 avg ratingFrom $92 per person2,777+ happy travelersGuided adventure tours

At a glance

Tour Price

Tour Price

$119–$183 typical

Median price is $129, with a range of $92–$461

Rating

Rating

4.83★ average

Based on 2,777 pooled reviews

Tour Length

Tour Length

4 hours median

Options range from 31 minutes to 6.2 hours

Best For

Best For

Adventure

73% of tour options feature this theme

Top Activity

Top Activity

Rafting

The most common activity at 36% of options

Languages

Languages

5 languages offered

English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese

14 Products

Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

25 mins
4.88 (1,615 reviews)
GetYourGuide
$116
Book now
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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience
Summary

Experience Queenstown’s most iconic jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Speed through narrow canyons at up to 90kmh, with thrilling 360° spins and exclusive canyon access.

From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

3 hrs
4.88 (778 reviews)
GetYourGuide
$122
Book now
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From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride
Summary

Experience breathtaking scenery, Lord of the Rings locations, the Skippers Road and the adrenaline pumping jet boat ride through the most dramatic canyons of the Shotover River.

Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Adventure

4.5 hrs
4.8 (338 reviews)
GetYourGuide
$175
Book now
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Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Summary

Raft the famous Shotover River on thrilling, grade 3 to 5 whitewater rapids on a half-day trip from Queenstown. Experience Skippers Canyon's daunting cliff edges and gold-mining history by bus. 

Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Trip

Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Trip

4 hrs
4.88 (78 reviews)
GetYourGuide
$175
Book now
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Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Trip
Summary

Tackle six rapids along the Shotover River on an adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting trip. Marvel at breathtaking scenery, navigate rapids, and go for a swim when the water is calm.

Shotover Jet Queenstown | New Zealand

Shotover Jet Queenstown | New Zealand

25 mins
4.65 (37 reviews)
KKday
$116
Book now
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Shotover Jet Queenstown | New Zealand
Summary

Hop aboard one of Shotover Jet's signature "Big Red" jet boats and indulge in an experience enjoyed by over 3 million people since 1970. Spin and weave your way through Shotover River Canyon and get your adrenaline pumping with 360-degree spins, power brakes, and sweeping fishtails!

Shotover River White Water Rafting by RealNZ

Shotover River White Water Rafting by RealNZ

4.3 (114 reviews)
Headout
$174
Book now
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Shotover River White Water Rafting by RealNZ
Summary

Tackle six grade 3–5 rapids on the Shotover River with expert guides in this action-packed 4.5-hour whitewater rafting adventure. Getting started Begin your journey in Queenstown, where a shuttle takes you to the Rafting Base for a safety briefing and gear fitting. After meeting your guides, travel ...

Inclusions
  • - 2-hour rafting on the Shotover River
  • - Professional rafting guides
  • - Round-trip bus transfer between Queenstown and the rafting base
  • - All rafting and safety equipment including wetsuit and helmet
  • - Use of hot showers
The Grand Circle 35-Minute Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

The Grand Circle 35-Minute Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

35 mins
5 (8 reviews)
GetYourGuide
$284
Book now
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The Grand Circle 35-Minute Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing
Summary

Discover the diverse landscapes of the Wakatipu Basin from above on a scenic 35 -minute helicopter tour. Fly past Shotover River's canyons, Coronet Peak, and land high in the Southern Alps.

Queenstown: Shotover River Rafting & Skippers Canyon Tour

Queenstown: Shotover River Rafting & Skippers Canyon Tour

5 hrs
5 (6 reviews)
GetYourGuide
$192
Book now
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Queenstown: Shotover River Rafting & Skippers Canyon Tour
Summary

Experience the thrill of rafting on the Shotover River and explore the historic Skippers Canyon on a scenic tour from Queenstown.

Kawarau and Shotover River Jet Boat Ride by KJet

Kawarau and Shotover River Jet Boat Ride by KJet

4.8 (5 reviews)
Headout
$87
Book now
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Kawarau and Shotover River Jet Boat Ride by KJet
Summary

Power through a 1-hour jet boat adventure on Lake Wakatipu, Kawarau, and Shotover rivers—rated 4.8 by over 1,250 thrill-seekers. Getting started Check in at the main jet boat dock on Lake Wakatipu, where staff will confirm your booking and provide a quick safety briefing. Life jackets are distribute...

Inclusions
  • - 1-hour jet boat ride on Kawarau and Shotover Rivers
  • - 360° spins on water
  • - High-speed river travel
  • - Expert driver/guide
  • - Life jackets (up to 4XL size)
Shotover River whitewater rafting

Shotover River whitewater rafting

Free cancellation
0
Musement
$130
Book now
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Shotover River whitewater rafting
Summary

Book this Shotover River whitewater rafting and enjoy grade 3-5 whitewater rapids if you're an adrenaline junky visiting Queenstown!

Pairs well with

Landmarks travelers visit on the same route as Shotover River.

Skippers Canyon
Learn more

Skippers Canyon

16 km away • from $99

Coronet Peak
Learn more

Coronet Peak

19 km away • from $29

Queenstown Hill
Learn more

Queenstown Hill

28 km away • from $100

Nevis Swing
Learn more

Nevis Swing

30 km away • from $190

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common questions travelers ask before visiting.

Among the 13 tours we compare across booking platforms, prices generally range from $94–$426. Most options fall within the $115–$175 bracket, with a median price of around $130.

Yes, the experiences are exceptionally well-regarded. Based on a combined 4.84★ rating from 2,791 reviews across booking platforms, travellers consistently report high levels of satisfaction.

The duration varies significantly depending on the specific tour you choose. Most activities last about 4 hours, but you will find options ranging from short 32-minute excursions to full-day experiences lasting up to 5.9 hours.

To accommodate international visitors, the options we compare are offered in 5 languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.

While most tours focus on the river experience itself, one of the options listed across booking platforms is specifically tagged as eco-friendly.

While we cannot confirm specific sell-out rates, it is worth checking availability early. Of the options we compare, 15% offer instant confirmation, which can be helpful for last-minute planning.

Policies vary by provider, but one of the tours we compare (8% of the total listings) offers free cancellation.

Wear warm, water resistant clothing. The spray can be cold, so bring a windbreaker or waterproof jacket.

Swimming is not recommended. The currents are extremely strong and the water temperature is very low.

Most access points are via hiking tracks near Queenstown. Always check local weather and river levels before heading out.

Skippers Canyon15.8kmCoronet Peak19.2kmNevis Swing29.7kmRob Roy Glacier Track (Rob Roy Track)30.3kmSkyline Queenstown31.4kmKawarau Suspension Bridge31.7kmQueenstown Gardens32.3kmKawarau River32.6kmLake Wakatipu37.8kmLake Wanaka40.7kmWalter Peak High Country Farm42.8kmRouteburn Track43.7km
Milford Sound Cruise - QueenstownQueenstown Day TourQueenstown Wine TourQueenstown Dirt Bike TourQueenstown SkydivingQueenstown Airport TransferShotover River Whitewater RaftingLord of the Rings Tour - QueenstownQueenstown Photography TourCentral Otago Wine TourGibbston Wine TourLake Wakatipu Cruise